“JVP and BJP Have Developed Mutual Trust”: Vanathi Srinivasan

29-Sep-2026

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Vanathi Srinivasan, BJP Tamil Nadu’s former legislator and the party’s Andhra Pradesh co-in-charge, has stated that mutual trust has developed between Sri Lanka’s ruling People’s Liberation Front (JVP) and India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following an exchange of views between the two parties.

She also stated that discussions had taken place on matters including the return of Sri Lankan refugees currently in Tamil Nadu to their places of origin, engagement with Tamil people who have migrated from Sri Lanka and live overseas, the continuing dispute between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, and the alleged encroachment on Hindu temples in areas inhabited by Tamil people. She said agreement had also been reached on taking steps in the future to ensure that these matters receive attention at the government level in both countries.

A meeting between a delegation led by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and a delegation led by BJP National President Nitin Nabin took place in New Delhi on 28 September 2026. Vanathi Srinivasan also participated in the BJP delegation.

Vanathi Srinivasan made the above remarks to Virakesari regarding the meeting. She further stated:

“The BJP, the ruling party of India, is strengthening bilateral relations with ruling parties in other countries. It is in this context that the delegation led by the General Secretary of Sri Lanka’s ruling JVP was invited to Delhi for an exchange of views and meetings.

“In that context, following a change of government in Sri Lanka, the people, including the Tamil people, voted for a new party. Our exchange of views began with discussions on the nature of its engagement with the Tamil people.

“At that time, the delegation led by the JVP General Secretary stated that the new government was reforming its education policies and had also undertaken curriculum reforms. In this regard, they stated that plans were under way to make the learning of Tamil and Sinhala, as well as English as the link language, an essential requirement for all students.

“They also stated that the government had proceeded with its activities in accordance with the mandate given by the Tamil people and that a certain period of time was necessary for the change to succeed in practice.

“Regarding system change, there had previously been political interference in providing employment to young men and women. They stated that this situation had now been changed and that young people were being recruited to employment transparently through competitive examinations and open applications.

“Meanwhile, both sides paid attention to the continuing strained situation between Tamil Nadu fishermen and fishermen in the Northern Province. Both sides agreed that it would be appropriate to conduct discussions on this matter at government level.

“I also brought to their attention the issue of Sri Lankan refugees currently staying in Tamil Nadu, including those who came to India as refugees under the Sirima-Shastri Agreement and who continue to live as refugees. Attention was also paid to matters that need to be undertaken by the governments of both countries in this regard.

“In that context, the Sri Lankan delegation stated that adequate measures had been taken to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu. At that point, I stressed that if citizenship were to be granted to those who were sent to India under the Sirima-Shastri Agreement, a list establishing that they are Indian citizens would be necessary. I also emphasised that the necessary preparations should be provided through the government. The Sri Lankan delegation agreed to this as well.

“Further, when I raised the question of the government’s approach towards Tamil people who had left Sri Lanka due to extraordinary circumstances and were living in countries including Canada, Europe and Britain, they stated that their contacts and relations with Tamil people living in the diaspora had already been established during the presidential election campaign.

“At the same time, when I raised the issue of encroachment activities in areas where Hindu temples are situated in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, they stated that such situations had existed in the areas between border villages under the previous government, but that such conditions do not exist at present.

“They also stated that the Sabarimala pilgrimage had been declared a pilgrimage of religious significance. At that point, I requested that arrangements also be made for devotees visiting Chidambaram for worship.

“In this context, I have developed the belief that this mutual exchange of views between the JVP and BJP delegations would build trust between the two sides and contribute to strengthening bilateral relations,” she said.